Shock for the Austin GP: Oscar Piastri speaks out to expose McLaren’s internal turmoil ahead of the Austin GP, hinting at a series of bad decisions that led to the team losing its advantage and sparking the season’s most serious crisis
Austin, Texas – In the run-up to the United States Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri, the Australian sensation and current leader in the Formula 1 championship, has detonated a bomb within his McLaren team. Just before the hectic start at the Circuit of the Americas, the 24-year-old driver spoke out in a rare candid interview about the internal unrest that has been plaguing the British team for months. Piastri, normally known for his calm and analytical approach, hinted at a series of bad decisions that have seen McLaren slide from a dominant position into the most serious crisis of the season. His words come at a crucial time, as the team grapples with the aftermath of a disastrous sprint race and the pressure of an increasingly unpredictable title race.
Tensions within McLaren have been palpable for some time, but reached a boiling point during the sprint on Saturday. From a promising starting position – Lando Norris in second place, Piastri in third – the race ended abruptly for both drivers in a chaotic collision at the first corner. Piastri, who had a strong launch, collided with Nico Hülkenberg’s Sauber, causing him to jump and land straight into Norris’s McLaren. Both cars suffered heavy damage, including to the suspension, and were forced to retire. The incident, which also took out Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin, led to a safety car and a furious response from McLaren CEO Zak Brown. “This was an amateur hour,” snapped Brown, who blamed Hulkenberg. But there is more brewing behind the scenes, and Piastri’s statement exposes it.
Speaking exclusively to reporters on the edge of the paddock, Piastri spoke out about the “deep-rooted problems” that have weakened McLaren. “We had everything in hand to dominate this season,” he said, his voice charged with frustration. “But a series of bad decisions – from strategy to priorities – have completely wiped out our advantage. It’s time to admit it before it’s too late.” Piastri subtly hinted at previous incidents, such as the collision in Singapore two weeks ago, where Norris pushed him off the track during an overtaking maneuver. Although stewards imposed no penalty, McLaren imposed internal sanctions on Norris, including a ‘sporting repercussion’ that affected his qualifying efforts in Austin. However, Piastri, who was not blamed in Singapore, felt ignored in the aftermath. “We have rules about fairness between teammates, but they are not always applied equally,” he continued. “That creates unrest, and it costs us points.”
The internal dynamic between Piastri and Norris, two young talents who should carry McLaren to the title, has become a source of division. After Singapore, Norris admitted to “dangerous driving” and publicly apologized. McLaren promised a ‘fair’ approach, but Piastri’s recent struggles in Austin – where he was unexpectedly slow and qualified only sixth – are fueling speculation about biased team orders. Team principal Andrea Stella tried to calm things down by putting Piastri’s lack of rhythm down to the bumpy track and erratic front axle of the MCL39 car. “Oscar just lacks confidence; it’s a combination of factors,” Stella said. But Piastri himself rejected that explanation. “It’s not just about the car. It’s about decisions that affect us all. We could have gotten a warning in Singapore, just like in Austria, but we didn’t. That kind of inconsistency builds up to a crisis.”
The series of bad choices Piastri cites extends across the entire season. McLaren started strongly, with Piastri taking the championship lead after wins in Australia and Monaco. But strategic blunders, such as poor pit stops in Bahrain and a conservative approach in Imola, cost crucial ground. In Austria, the team explicitly warned Piastri not to interfere with Norris, leading to grumbling among fans about favoritism. Now, with Max Verstappen only 54 points behind Piastri after his sprint victory and pole position in Austin, the Dutchman is in danger of regaining the title. Red Bull’s consistent reliability contrasts starkly with McLaren’s internal chaos. Brown, normally a master of diplomacy, exploded after the sprint: “This is not acceptable. Our drivers should not touch each other.” But critics point out that the team itself set the precedent by punishing Norris, which is now having a boomerang effect.
Piastri’s outburst has left the paddock in an uproar. Former champion Jenson Button called it “a wake-up call for McLaren” as analysts speculate about Piastri’s future. Rumors of a possible move to Red Bull or Mercedes are abuzz, especially now that Piastri is openly doubting the team’s support. “I don’t know if they will choose one driver if it comes down to it,” he said cryptically. “But I ride for victories, not for excuses.” Norris, who took pole but lost the sprint, responded diplomatically: “We analyze it internally. Oscar and I are teammates; this makes us stronger.” But the body language speaks volumes: a high-five that lasts too short, a look that looks away.
This crisis affects not only McLaren, but the entire championship. With six races to go, the title hangs in the balance. Verstappen, who won the sprint and starts from pole on Sunday, smells blood. For Piastri, who has to chase from P6 on Sunday, Austin is a turning point. Will he turn his frustration into fire on the court, or will the unrest escalate further? McLaren’s ‘fairness doctrine’ – intended to maintain harmony – threatens to tear the team apart. Stella announced an emergency meeting: “We will solve this, period.” But Piastri’s words echo through the garage: the wrong decisions come with a price, and it’s now being paid in Austin.
Sunday’s GP promises a spectacle, with 23 drivers fighting for glory. For McLaren it is a matter of survival. Piastri’s revelations have lifted the lid off the cesspool, and the question is whether the team can recover or implode further. In the world of Formula 1, where seconds count, internal unrest can be fatal. Austin may be the live music capital, but this weekend the tune of discord is ringing louder than ever.
